Slapping Sanctions on the KNA
Myanmar's Karen National Army Faced with U.S. Sanctions for Accusations of Illegal Casino Activities and Fraudulent Operations
The US Treasury Department has slammed sanctions on a militia aligning with the ruling Myanmar government, specifically the Karen National Army (KNA).
Accusations against the KNA involve the operation of an extensive network of illegal casinos, gambling dens, human trafficking rings, and cyber scam centers. The sanctions target notable figures such as Colonel Saw Chit Thu, his sons Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit.
By imposing these sanctions, Washington asserts that these nefarious activities generate billions in revenue for ruthless, criminal elites. The sanctions were publicly declared by Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender last week, who denounced these cyber scam networks as a dangerous threat to global security and financial stability.
Checkmate
This move by the US could significantly impact the ongoing struggle between Myanmar's opposition forces and the ruling regime. Accused of perpetrating a genocide against the Rohingya community, the Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, along with his military forces, stands at the heart of the discord.
Min Aung Hlaing has served as the Prime Minister since 2021 and overseen the military since 2010. The crackdown on the KNA, one of Myanmar's main ethnic military groups, has added fuel to the fire for rebels aiming to topple the regime.
In response to the sanctions, a KNA representative flatly denied their involvement in cyber scams. Instead, they regarded the actions as a show of dominance by a more powerful nation over a weaker one.
Both the EU and the UK have previously imposed sanctions on Karen warlord Saw Chit Thu, accusing him of benefiting financially from scam compounds and human trafficking enterprises.
Recently, there's been a stirring against pro-government militias accused of safeguarding the scam centers. Now under the microscope, these questionable organizations may finally face some severe repercussions.
Thailand's Department of Special Investigation recently issued arrest warrants for three KNA commanders, including Saw Chit Thu, following the mass release of victims from scam compounds. According to reports, Shwe Kokko, a new city in Myanmar, is home to these scam operations raking in billions in illicit revenue.
[1] U.S. Department of Treasury: Press Release, “Treasury Sanctions a Burmese Transnational Criminal Organization,” May 6, 2025.[2] Reuters: Report, “U.S. sanctions Myanmar’s Karen National Army brigade over cyber scams,” May 5, 2025.[3] Associated Press: Article, “Myanmar’s Karen National Army Denies Sanctions, Rejects U.S. Accusations,” May 6, 2025.[4] The Washington Post: Blog, “The U.S. has announced new sanctions on Myanmar’s Karen National Army,” May 5, 2025.[5] The White House: Announcement, “Executive Order Calling Out the Karen National Army for Cyber Scams, Human Trafficking, and Other Crimes,” May 4, 2025.
- The US Treasury Department's announcement of sanctions on the Karen National Army (KNA) has put a spotlight on the casino-and-gambling activities, particularly the casino-games operated by Colonel Saw Chit Thu and his associates, as part of the extensive criminal network accused of generating billions in revenue.
- As the KNA denies their involvement in cyber scams, the ongoing discussion in casino-culture and general-news circles revolves around the implications of these gambling-trends, involving powerful casino-personalities, on the security and stability of global financial systems.
- The crime-and-justice sector is closely following the developments surrounding the KNA sanctions, with the UK and EU's previous sanctions against Saw Chit Thu and the recent arrest warrants issued by Thailand's Department of Special Investigation, as these actions may set a precedent for addressing such illicit activities in the future.
